Common mistakes people make during hajj and ‘umrah

There are many misconceptions within the community about hajj. Some of which are briefly discussed below. Many misconceptions are because of hearsay. There is no basis of such views in the Quran or Hadith. Unfortunately many people blindly believe and follow these actions.

MistakesCorrect Way
  • Women not making niyah to enter into the state of Ihram before crossing Miqat boundary, because of having menstruation or post natal bleeding at the time of crossing. She is thinking that she cannot pronounce Niyah until she is purified.
Regardless of their situation, menstruating and post-natal bleeding, women must do Niyah and enter into the state of Ihram as others before crossing the Miqat.
  • Pilgrim doing animal sacrifice in home country or some other country instead of Makkah.
Performing the sacrifice in your country or any other country is not valid according to sunnah. The sacrifice must be performed in the Mina, Makkah or Muzdalifa area.
  • Sitting outside Arafat boundary
Many people attend khutbah in masjid Namirah (Nimra)(mosque in Arafat). Please note, Nimra mosque does not completely lie within the boundary of Arafat. A large portion of this mosque is outside the boundary of Arafat. The Ministry of Hajj’s sign clearly shows the boundary of Arafat. Make sure you are inside Arafat. Without this rite, one’s hajj is not valid. This rite cannot be performed in any other day or rectified through animal sacrifice.
  • Some people believe that if they are not in Masjid Namirah (mosque in Arafat), they are not allowed to join their prayers with the Imam from the tents.
This is not correct. People are permitted to join prayers even from the tents.
  • Leaving Arafat before sun set
To avoid crowd, you may see some people leave Arafat before sunset. This is certainly against sunnah. For hajj to be valid, pilgrims must stay in Arafat until sunset. Maghrib salah is not performed in Arafat. Only after sunset, one should go to Muzdalifah and pray Maghrib and ‘Isha there.
  • During tawaf walking through the hateem
Tawaf must be performed outside and around the Ka’ba. Do not enter the Hateem (Commonly known as Hijr Isma’il, which situated to the north of Ka’ba. It is surrounded by semicircular wall). Thus if someone were to walk within the Hateem, his or her tawaf will not be valid. It will not be counted as one. He or she has to repeat this particular round again.
  • Man wearing stitched ihram attire
Nowadays a new form of ihram cloth is available for male pilgrims in the market which are joined but claims to be stitched free. There is no conclusive agreement among the scholars about the permissibility of such ihram clothes. It is better to avoid what is doubtful.
  • Wearing foot gear not acceptable
Men’s footwear should be simple and must not cover the ankles. Many stylish foot gear now available in the market which do not fulfil ihram’s requirement.
  • Covering face with sleeping bag at Mina
Covering face with sleeping bag or with anything else while in ihram is not permitted.